What does revoicing mean?
Revoicing is a technical term in phonology for a process in which a sound that would normally be voiceless acquires voice. Most often this happens when the voicing of one segment spreads to an adjacent voiceless consonant, changing /s/ into /z/, for example, under the influence of a following voiced sound. The noun can describe either the general process or a particular instance of it. In phonological analysis, revoicing is important because it shows how neighbouring sounds can alter one another rather than each segment being pronounced independently. Outside linguistics, the related verb revoice can mean to give a voice again or to supply a replacement voice, but revoicing itself is most firmly associated with sound patterns. For readers interested in language, the word offers a precise label for an otherwise easy-to-miss interaction between sounds.
nounIn phonology, a process by which a normally voiceless sound becomes voiced, typically through the spread of voicing from an adjacent segment.
- The phonological process in which a normally voiceless sound becomes voiced, especially through the influence of an adjacent voiced segment.
"The revoicing of the final consonant before a voiced vowel is predictable in many dialects."
"The revoicing of /s/ before a voiced vowel is predictable in many dialects."
"Listeners may hear revoicing as a change from a hissing consonant to a buzzing one."
The plural is regular but rarely needed; discussions usually refer to the process in the singular.
"The phonologist compared the revoicings found in several dialects."
Revoicing is the hidden handoff that lets a voiceless consonant borrow a buzz from its neighbour.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does revoicing come from?
Revoicing was formed in English by combining the prefix re-, meaning again, with voicing, the production or transmission of vocal-fold vibration. The related verb revoice means to voice again or give something a voice. Voicing ultimately derives from Latin vox, meaning voice or sound, which also underlies words such as vocal and vociferous.
Related word forms
How revoicing is actually used
This is chiefly a specialist term used in phonology, linguistics, and related fields. It names a sound process rather than a deliberate act of speaking again.
Easily confused with revoicing
Revocation means the withdrawal or cancellation of a rule, permission, or earlier statement, whereas revoicing concerns the acquisition or spread of voicing in a sound.